Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 568 A decisive battle, the purple-gold red gourd!
"Monkey, this gourd of mine also came from there."

Xiao Chen's lips twitched slightly as he used a telepathic technique to reply to Sun Wukong:

"The innate gourd vine is rich in spiritual energy, and it can bear more than one fruit at a time."

"In fact, this innate gourd vine has bloomed seven gourd flowers and produced seven gourds. It is truly 'seven flowers on one vine'."

"What the Supreme Dao Ancestor took away was the first fruit. Afterwards, the spiritual essence of that gourd vine was not extinguished, and it successively produced six gourds with different supernatural powers!"

"These gourds are the first generation of innate gourds, and they are extremely miraculous."

"After all seven gourds were picked, the original power of the innate gourd vine was revived, and a new batch of precious gourds was born. They actually gained sentience and became my seven gourd spirit children."

Xiao Chen's mind raced, and he explained in more detail via telepathy:
“Currently, the gourds in your hand are all carefully catalyzed from gourd seeds cultivated by my seven adopted sons using their own essence. They are genuine ‘third-generation gourd seeds’.”

"These gourds, though not as extraordinary as the Primordial Gourd, still possess some of the Primordial Gourd's magical abilities. They are quite useful for storing odds and ends."

It turned out that after the seven gourd spirits became the godfathers of King Golden Horn, they received his kindness and assistance and felt they had nothing to repay him with.

So, the seven gourd spirits gave him their gourd leaves and their original essence blood.

Plants and animals are different.

Sometimes, animals need sexual intercourse to reproduce.

However, plants can reproduce asexually, and some plants can also reproduce by division.

On ordinary days, the seven gourd spirits would often use their own pure gourd seeds to evolve and give birth to "offspring gourds" with different functions to honor their adoptive father.

For example, a fire gourd can spew flames, a water gourd can gush sweet springs, and a yin gourd can trap ghosts...

This Yang Gourd is even more mysterious...

The Yang Gourd Spirit (Golden Gourd Leaf) can change size at will; when it becomes ferocious, it can grow to a height of a thousand feet, resembling a gourd-shaped mountain, truly possessing "boundless strength and the ability to overturn heaven and earth"...

This purple-gold gourd can be freely enlarged or reduced in size, and can be used to store people and objects. However, it has little killing power, is quite sturdy and durable, and is simply used for storage.

At this moment.

The gourd that Sun Wukong is holding is the third-generation gourd that originated from the Yang gourd spirit. Although it has no killing power, it is tough and spacious, making it very convenient for storing things and treasures.

It can be considered a "purple gold gourd".

However, Sun Wukong must have seen the purple-gold gourd in the Tushita Palace.

In the blink of an eye, Sun Wukong had used his transformation magic to make the "Purple Gold Yang Gourd" look exactly the same as Laozi's "Purple Gold Red Gourd".

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong felt greatly reassured and confidently continued the conversation with the Golden Furnace Boy, addressing him loudly:
"As for my gourd... it naturally came from the gourd vine on the Heavenly Pillar!"

"My gourd was also nurtured by innate spiritual roots, a true and direct descendant!"

"But—"

He deliberately kept everyone in suspense, shaking his head and acting mysterious.

How can you be sure they are from the same root?

The Golden Furnace Boy was uneasy about his confident demeanor and couldn't help but press him for more information.

Sun Wukong chuckled, his lie flowing so smoothly and naturally, without him even blinking:
"Jin Lu'er, listen carefully!"

"Since the beginning of the universe, when the clear and the turbid were separated, the heavens were not full in the northwest, and the earth was not full in the southeast. At the foot of the towering pillar that supports the heavens and the earth, how abundant and magnificent was the primordial energy?"

"That immortal vine, born from the chaos and imbued with the primordial energy, how could it possibly bear only one fruit at a time?"

"The immortal vine on that pillar, imbued with the energy of chaos, produced several gourds."

"These gourds, some male and some female, some elder and some younger, are just like human relationships with distinctions of gender and age, all in perfect order!"

"There are strong and there are weak!"

After speaking, Sun Wukong paused, a mischievous smile appearing on his face. He tapped the gourd in his hand forcefully with his finger, beaming with pride.
"This gourd in my hand, Old Sun, radiates a precious light, is robust and vigorous, and possesses the most yang and strong nature. It is a majestic and extraordinary gourd that stands tall and upright!"

"As for that one that your family's Supreme Lord Laozi treasures so much..."

His grin widened, his mischievousness intensified, and he wore a smirk.

"Your purple-gold gourd in the Tushita Palace is magnificent and elegant, and contains the mysteries of the Danxia landform."

"Its gourd belly has always been filled with nourishing elixirs."

"Hehehe, in my opinion, it must be a genuine 'female' gourd! It's perfect for nurturing elixirs and precious medicines."

Upon hearing this, the Golden Furnace Boy was somewhat unconvinced, his little face turning red. Unwilling to be outdone in the essence of his master's magical treasure, he argued:
"What nonsense!"

"They're both gourd magic weapons, so why is ours female and yours male?"

"Hey, Jin Lu'er, what's the use of being stubborn? Whether it's a mule or a horse, why don't you take it out for a walk and we'll find out immediately?"

Sun Wukong grinned, his monkey face full of mischief and certainty, and forcefully thrust the Purple-Gold Gourd forward, his expression laced with provocation:

As the saying goes, "If the world doesn't change, even a baby will be afraid of her husband; a female won't dare to pretend when she sees a male!"

"Bring me that precious 'female gourd' from your palace! Let it have a head-to-head duel with my genuine 'male gourd'!"

"Let's have a showdown with my gourd!"

"Let's see which gourd is the male and which is the female!"

"Whose skills surpass whose, and who is superior!"

This reverse psychology tactic worked!

Startled by this aggressive aura, the Golden Furnace Boy's youthful spirit surged, his blood boiling, and he opened his mouth to agree:
"Let's compete! Do you think my treasures from the Tushita Palace are afraid of..."

Before he could finish speaking, the hem of his robe was tugged hard by the silver furnace attendant beside him.

The Golden Furnace Boy asked in confusion:
"Little brother, why are you pulling me? Don't stop me from showing off!"

"Brother, wait! Don't act rashly."

The boy in the silver furnace urgently transmitted his voice, his young voice filled with anxiety and worry:
"Brother, don't be impulsive! Have you forgotten? The Dan Yuan Assembly is just around the corner. The purple-gold-red gourd contains the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir to be presented to the Jade Emperor. It cannot be lost under any circumstances; it is of utmost importance!"

"Don't you know what kind of monkey this is?"

"He's always been fond of petty theft and swindling. If we take out the gourd, he'll use some kind of magical power to snatch it away and swallow the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir inside in one gulp..."

"Then the Dan Yuan Conference is doomed."

"Haven't we committed a terrible disaster? It'll be too late to clean up the mess! How are we going to explain this to the master? It will be too late to regret it then!"

Speaking of it.

The Silver Furnace Boy's voice carried a hint of lingering fear, as if he were still shaken:

"Brother, have you forgotten what happened to the cowherd who guarded the blue ox a few days ago?"

"He lost his mount and was banished to the mortal realm by the master, where he suffered endless hardships! If we lose these Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs used in the Pill Refining Assembly..."

"At that time, even being banished to the mortal realm would be considered a light punishment. They might even be 'cast into the animal realm,' never to be able to rise again! The consequences would be unimaginable!"

The Golden Furnace Boy was jolted awake by these words, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head. He instantly snapped out of his emotional outburst and felt a jolt throughout his body.

It was like waking from a dream, and I was terrified.

The monkey's earlier scheme of male and female debate and gambling, pressing and maneuvering step by step, could it be... could it be that his real intention was to provoke me into taking out the treasure gourd containing the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir?
Then they took the opportunity to steal and eat those Nine-Turn Golden Elixir pills?

Reminded by the Silver Furnace Boy, the Golden Furnace Boy hurriedly waved his hands at Sun Wukong, his little face stern, his tone resolute:
"I'm not competing anymore! I'm not competing anymore!"

"Monkey, don't talk about male and female!"

"But a gourd that can hold elixir and store other things is a good treasure!"

Seeing that his first move had failed, Sun Wukong's monkey eyes darted around again, and he asked, feigning curiosity:
"Oh? It's fine if we don't have a contest."

"Then let me ask you, how many elixirs can your precious 'female gourd' hold at once? What is its capacity?"

The Golden Furnace Boy was on edge, wanting only to finish his fruit and leave safely as quickly as possible, so he casually replied:

"Hmm... As for the gourd, it can hold a thousand or eight hundred pills."

"As for storing other miscellaneous items... well, I've never tried that, so I don't know."

"Only this much?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately displayed an exaggerated expression of disdain, as if the Golden Furnace Boy had uttered a trivial number, and sneered:
"Your gourd is too small! Look at my magnificent gourd—"

With a smug look on his face, he lightly weighed the Purple Gold Yang Gourd in his palm and said arrogantly:
"Hey! Let alone a few thousand or even ten thousand or a hundred thousand grains, they are nothing more than a tiny speck to my gourd!"

"It can even move mountains and fill seas, throwing in all the rocks and mud from an entire mountain, and it can handle it with ease, filling it up steadily! That's real skill!"

"Hiss... How... how do you know?"

When Jinlu Tongzi heard Sun Wukong's outrageous boasting, which sounded like divine skill, he was utterly skeptical. However, seeing Sun Wukong's resolute and spittle-flecked manner, and combined with the strange spatial fluctuations emanating from the gourd in his hand, he couldn't help but feel a little doubtful.

The Silver Furnace Boy beside him also opened his pure, water-like eyes wide, craning his neck curiously, holding his breath, and waiting for Sun Wukong to continue.

"Golden furnace, silver furnace, open your eyes wide and watch carefully!"

Sun Wukong didn't waste any words. He held the purple-gold gourd in his palm, muttered incantations, and pretended to shout:

"Gourd, gourd, heed my command!"

"Great, great, great! Show your might and let us see!"

"Whoosh—" The purple-gold gourd that he had casually tossed into the air grew taller in the wind, just like a dragon receiving clouds and rain, and its divine power was displayed in an instant!
It was only a foot or so long at first, but in the blink of an eye it expanded several times!
In the blink of an eye, it's already as thick as a water vat!
Then, the gourd's body emitted a thunderous roar, like rolling thunder, and its top beam struck the pillar, instantly filling the room completely and connecting with the roof beam!
"big!"

"big!"

"big!"

……

Sun Wukong shouted "Big!" repeatedly, his voice booming like a bell. The enormous gourd responded by growing wildly, like a giant beast awakening, unstoppable!
A burst of purple-gold light surged forth, like a river bursting its banks, almost filling the entire private room. Its radiance was dazzling and its momentum astonishing, threatening to burst the magnificent Shui De Ge private room.

"Crench!"

"Crack!"

……

Under the immense pressure of the expanding gourd, the attic groaned, as if pleading for mercy, or perhaps marveling at the gourd's divine power!
Sun Wukong, knowing when to stop, promptly shouted again:
"Small, small, small!"

The enormous creature immediately shrank, becoming like a cluster of brilliant purple-gold light, before settling steadily back into his palm, returning to its original, docile state.

"Wow! That's really... really amazing!"

The Silver Furnace Boy was mesmerized by the sight and couldn't help but clap his hands, exclaiming in surprise:
"This is incredible! Absolutely incredible! This treasure... this treasure is a marvelous object that can even hold a mountain!"

Upon seeing this, the Golden Furnace Boy was also greatly alarmed and blurted out:

"ah!"

"His gourd is truly amazing!"

"Looks like he really can even fake a mountain!"

original.

At this time, the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy had not yet descended to the mortal realm as demons, and had never used this purple-gold-red gourd to refine people; they only used it to store pills.

Of course, the original purpose of this purple-gold-red gourd was actually to hold and nurture the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir.

Its "core function" is to store the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, so that the medicinal properties do not dissipate and the efficacy is not lost.

It is not used to refine people.

The seven gourds on the vine each have their own strengths and unique abilities.

This gourd can change size at will; it can be large enough to contain mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, or small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, its transformations are endless.

The Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy, being alchemy boys who spent their days with elixirs, naturally had a special fondness for these gourds and couldn't put them down.

As the saying goes:
"Taoist priest, what kind of medicine are you selling in this gourd?"

This seemingly joking remark reveals the unique status of the gourd within the Taoist community.

The gourd holds extraordinary significance for Taoist practitioners, far surpassing ordinary ritual implements.

A bottle ritual implement, a cloth bag ritual implement, a gourd ritual implement... If they were given a choice, they would definitely choose the gourd without hesitation.

It's not that they haven't seen treasured storage items before.

Rather, they simply like gourds.

The gourd is considered the "first of the eight treasures of Taoism," holding a highly respected position.

Its shape is cleverly composed of two spheres, one large and one small. The larger one represents Yang, symbolizing the vast and boundless sky; the smaller one represents Yin, symbolizing the vast and profound earth.

The two interact and blend to form the Tai hexagram, which symbolizes the interaction between heaven and earth and the harmony of yin and yang.

In troubled times.

Let's not even talk about Bodhi.

Laozi himself carried his sword to save the common people.

Taoist priests, carrying gourds on their bodies, travel the world, using their medical skills and Taoist magic to help people. Whenever they encounter someone suffering from illness, the priest will take out miraculous medicines from the gourd to relieve their pain and bring them hope for life.

This is the origin of the phrase "hanging a gourd to save the world".

The "pot" refers to a gourd.

In Taoist culture, the gourd also symbolizes "good fortune and prosperity," a homophone for "good fortune and prosperity for generations to come."

Many of the magical arts and supernatural powers in Taoism are related to gourds.

As the saying goes:
"Gold has a price, but jade is priceless."

Gold can be clearly priced and has a fixed standard of value in the world.

The rarity of jade depends entirely on people's desires.

For jade lovers, a piece of warm and beautiful jade is a priceless treasure, irreplaceable by any amount of money. They will cherish it and take good care of it.

For those who don't like jade, there might be no difference between jade and ordinary stones.

This principle is similar to the status of the gourd in Taoism.

……

Seeing this, Sun Wukong chuckled inwardly, knowing that the time was right and the fish had smelled the bait.

With a magnanimous air, he generously handed the restored Purple-Gold Yang Gourd to the Golden Furnace Boy, his words carrying a perfectly measured hint of seduction:

"Come, come, golden stove, silver stove, what's the fun in just looking at them?"

"Let me show you this precious gourd so you can handle it yourself and you'll know that what I, Old Sun, said is true!"

Upon hearing this, the Golden Furnace Boy's eyes flashed with delight, and he hurriedly reached out to take the gourd.

He concentrated his energy, slowly channeling his magical power into the gourd, and, mimicking Sun Wukong's bold and unrestrained tone, chanted:
"Gourd, gourd, quickly show your power!"

"Get bigger!"

"big!"

"big!"

……

The Golden Furnace Boy's voice carried a hint of urgency and anticipation.

As he commanded, the gourd indeed expanded rapidly once more, its purple-gold light shining brightly, its precious radiance soaring into the sky, and the chaotic Dao patterns appearing and disappearing...

That ancient and extraordinary aura emanates from it.

This purple-gold gourd was indeed extraordinary; it grew much larger, transforming into a colossal object that stood in the pavilion, seemingly about to burst through the small space.

It's just that the attic is too small to fit everything.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent! It is indeed a fine gourd!"

The Golden Furnace Boy couldn't help but praise it.

"Brother, brother, let me play with it!"

"Let me play with it too!"

The boy with the silver furnace watched with envy and tugged at his brother's sleeve, acting coquettishly.

The two took turns playing with the magical gourd, their faces filled with surprise and delight, temporarily putting aside their earlier suspicions and worries.

After a while.

The Golden Furnace Boy held the Purple-Gold Yang Gourd, which had returned to its original form, his eyes gleaming with wonder. Finally, he couldn't help but speak to Sun Wukong, his tone filled with the fervor unique to a young man:

"Great Sage! Your precious gourd... is truly exquisite! My brother and I are very fond of it!"

"I don't know... I don't know what you would do to make me part with what I cherish and exchange it with us?"

……

For those in the Taoist community, especially those who practice alchemy, who doesn't like gourds?

If a good gourd is properly nurtured, the medicinal properties and efficacy of the medicine inside will not dissipate.

The elixir was placed inside a gourd, and over the years, its medicinal properties remained completely intact.

Actually, at this time...

Whether Sun Wukong's "Purple Gold Yang Gourd" could compare to his master's "Purple Gold Red Gourd" was no longer that important to the Golden Furnace and Silver Furnace Boys.

No matter how good the purple-gold red gourd is, it is still Laozi's gourd!
It is a magic weapon of Laozi (the Supreme Lord Lao).

No matter how good the purple-gold-red gourd is, it is ultimately not the gourd for his gold or silver furnace.

As the saying goes:
"Having parents is not as good as having something of your own!"

With his gold and silver furnaces, how could he not want to own a good gourd?
A gourd that truly belongs to you, a natal artifact that you can manipulate as you please and nurture with all your heart and soul.

This gourd can be used to store the elixirs they refine themselves, and in their spare time, they can take it out and examine it closely.

The best gourd in the world is naturally a descendant of the innate gourd vine, a treasure coveted by alchemists.

The gourd was right in front of them, within reach!
(End of this chapter)